Review of From Beyond (1986) by Stevenf — 05 Jun 2013

Leslie Nielson proves his dominance as a comedy icon, he takes his alter-ego Frank Drebin of Police Squad to the big screen, and gag after gag proves this to be one of the best comedies created, its simple and ridiculous story, larger than life characters and real life references and subtle pokes make this enjoyable from beginning to end.

Lt. Drebin of Police Squad is suspicious of businessman Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalbán) after Drebin's longtime partner is put in hospital after attempting a drug bust, to disastrous but also hilarious results involving bear traps, wedding cakes and wet paint. The hilarity continues as he attempts to investigate basically on his own, and he stumbles upon a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Los Angeles.

He is helped but also hampered by the woman he immediately falls for, Jane Spencer, (Priscilla Presley) who works with Ludwig. As Frank digs deeper into Ludwig and his business, his discoveries soon lead him into very hot water with the Mayor.

The Naked Gun relies on visual gags along with the superior acting skills of Nielson, and in both ways it delivers on all accounts, whether its a simple name on a door that is back to front or suitcases being thrown out of the plane ands entirely missing the carrier, these background gags work best when have Nielson's serious face but bumbling personality of Drebin directly in front of you.

A movie as absurd and often immature is indeed quite difficult to review and put into words what is trying to be said, you will laugh at the entire film and when it ends you will question what you were even laughing at, or you will simply not feel good about the fact you laughed. But this is perhaps the genius of the writers, observing the elephant in the room, they address exactly what is considered ridiculous, stupid and downright immature and throw it back in your face, here's a pie, lets throw it at someone.

But the film also turns many tricks and other films of similar genres to parody, a particular scene where Frank is coaxing information out of a man and they in turn swap the money that Frank originally had, it is silly, hysterical but also witty in its own way.

The Naked Gun deserves a status of one of the best comedies, it knows exactly what it is, never tries to be better and calls all its own shots, with Leslie Neilson at the helm, it was always aiming high, and for good reason too.